Monday, March 28, 2011

Week 13: Freedom...

Here is the schedule for this week:

Sunday (Epistles): 1 Corinthians 9-10
Monday (Law): Genesis 48-50
Tuesday (History): 1 Samuel 11-15
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 36-38
Thursday (Poetry): Job 25-26
Friday (Prophecy): Jeremiah 1-6
Saturday (Gospels): Mark 5-6

Here is my SOAP for the week:

Scripture: I Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"- but not everything is constructive.

Observation: What a wonderful country we live in. We are pretty much free to do whatever we want. We are free to go for the American Dream, free to worship in our own manner and free to speak our minds. We are also free to make mistakes, free to make a fool out of ourselves and also free to be wasteful and sinful. What this verse is saying to me is "Just because you can do something does not mean that you should do it." What are the consequences of our actions, our words and our thoughts?

Application: I tend to sometimes get caught up in the "culture wars" in America. Issues like abortion and homosexuality tend to get caught up in this maelstrom of emotion where two opposing sides volley venom back and forth in an effort to "win" their battle. I have to remind myself in the heat of these discussions that there are real people out there who struggle with these issues in their lives. Society tells them that these issues are "permissible," and therefore good. What I cannot do is judge people based on issues like these, nor can I engage in a meaningful discussion with them by pounding them over the head with Scripture. As much as I see their need for a Savior, I must take the log out of my own eye so I can see MY OWN need for a Savior. We are all on the same team. And because of that we need to work through this thing called life together if we are all to experience indescribable freedom in Heaven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father I just want to thank you for your Word. I want to thank you for the simple verses, the ones that may take only ten seconds to hear but much longer to digest. I am in need of your grace today and will need it tomorrow. I ask in Your Name that grace is given to others who may not know you, that they will know you and be saved. I also ask in Your Name that grace is also given to those who do know you, but have a hard time focusing on You. The gift of freedom is a great gift, but I am asking for the wisdom to use this gift for how it was intended. Thank you for being a great and loving God, and I pray all of this in Your Name. Amen.

Have a great week!

In Him,

Mike

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Week 12: A Bright Future Ahead...

The reading plan for this week is as follows:

* Sunday (epistles): I Corinthians 7-8
* Monday (the Law): Genesis 44-47
* Tuesday (history): I Samuel 6-10
* Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 33-35
* Thursday (poetry): Job 23-24
* Friday (prophecy): Isaiah 62-66
* Saturday (gospels): Mark 3-4

From time to time, the apostle Paul makes statements that go against some of our preconceived notions of how we should live. In 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 we read:

Scripture
What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Observation
At first glance, Paul makes some radical statements here that go against our ideas of 'happy marriage', 'caring for/mourning with those who mourn', 'being happy and celebrate with those who are happy', 'enjoying the blessings that God gives us here on earth', etc. The last verse, however, makes it clear what Paul is trying to say here: we should not be consumed by this world, the actions of this world, the emotions of this world, or the possessions of this world. Instead, our focus should be on the New World, that is coming when Jesus returns.

Application
This week's scripture reading shows us some aspects of the New World in the closing chapters of Isaiah. In Isaiah 65:17, the LORD himself claims: "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind." Paul's statement in the letter to the Corinthians reflects this strong belief, that God has something so much better for us in mind. In the middle of our daily worries, emotions and struggles, we have to keep our eyes fixed on the new world that lies ahead of us.

We can't always see God's immediate purpose of the things that bother us on this earth. That's when we have to remember what Joseph said in Genesis 45:7-8: "But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." See, at the time, Joseph didn't know why his brothers sold him into slavery, or why he ended up in an Egyptian jail for many many years. But in hindsight, God had a plan to save millions of his people through the hand of Joseph.

In the same way, God will save us through all we're going through. All we need to do is remain faithful, and keep our eyes on the future, when He will return.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your provision, for the strength you give us from day to day, and for the hope that you provide for our future. Help us to keep our eyes focused on that glorious future that you have in store for us. We look forward to meeting you face to face. Help us to reflect your radiance in this dark world. In Jesus name, Amen.

Have a great week, and let your light shine bright, that other people may know the hope you have for the future (Mark 4:21).

In Him,

Dick

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Week 11: Being Transparent Before the Lord

This week's Scripture readings unfold like this:

* Sunday (Epistles): 1 Corinthians 5-6
* Monday (The Law): Genesis 40-43
* Tuesday (History): 1 Samuel 1-5
* Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 30-32
* Thursday (Poetry): Job 21-22
* Friday (Prophecy): Isaiah 56-61
* Saturday (Gospels): Mark 1-2

We cover a lot of ground here! Yet one unifying theme that stands at the heart of this week's readings is Psalm 32, which occurs right in the middle of the week. It speaks to the relational complexities between friends and family members, as seen in the readings from the epistles, the law, and poetry...and the alienation that stands between human beings and God, as seen in readings from history, Psalms, prophecy, and the Gospels.

Scripture
Psalm 32 begins with the soul-freeing declaration:
Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

But as we see next, this joyous sense of fellowship with God came only after a bitter struggle to hide from God:
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

In other words, David recounts the heaviness he felt before he confessed his sins to God.

Scripture attests elsewhere that "when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

That's exactly what happened to David when he finally gave in to God:
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

Observation
We human beings tend to run from God during the times in which we should be drawing ever closer to him. It happened in the Garden of Eden when the first man and woman disobeyed God and discovered that they were naked. They felt shame and hid from God when they heard him approaching.

It's that same sense of shame that induces us to run from God when we need his help the most. But what we see in Psalm 32 is that God is quick to forgive us when we open up to him.

Application
As we work through the assorted Scripture readings this week, we will encounter human brokenness in a variety of forms. As we do so, let's ask ourselves what things may be at work in our own lives that are keeping us from enjoying the fullness of a relationship with God and each other. Then, let's resist the temptation to hide from God. As David wrote, "...let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found" (Psalm 32:6).

Prayer
O Lord, you've promised to draw near to us when we draw near to you. You've given us your assurances that you will never leave us or forsake us. You have done everything to atone for our sins. And now, Lord Jesus, you are in heaven interceding for our every transgression. Still, in light of all that, we let shame get the best of us. We run and hide from you like our primordial parents did. Embolden us to seek you when every instinct tells us to flee. Strengthen us by your Spirit to draw near to you in our time of need. And, like David, put your song of forgiveness and joy in our hearts. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Friday, March 11, 2011

Week 10: Grace

Begging forgiveness for the late post- I apologize for holding you up on your reading. For the sake of brevity this week, here is the reading plan:

Sunday (Epistles): 1 Corinthians 3-4
Monday (The Law): Genesis 36-39
Tuesday (History): Ruth
Wednesday (Psalms): Psalms 27-29
Thursday (Poetry): Job 19-20
Friday (Prophecy): Isaiah 51-55
Saturday (Gospels): Matthew 26-28

Blessings this week- remember to wash with SOAP!

In Him,

Mike